Best Electric Bicycles in India

Electric cycles are getting more popular in India by the day. In this post, I will be listing down 6 best electric bicycles in India. Most e-bikes available in India are powered by rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries.

There are a few hardcore cycling fanatics who do not like e Cycles. However, I must admit there are a few benefits to these. These electric bicycles can also entice more people to take up cycling.

I will now jump straight into the review. However, if you wish to know more about these battery powered bicycles, scroll down to the bottom of the article.

Quick Note – Bikes with less 250 Watts of power and speeds under 25 kmph are not treated as “Motorcycles”. Bikes above this range require approval certificate for compliance to CMVR. So you will find almost all e-cycles in India under these specs. Regular transport rules are not applicable for such battery operated cycles in India.

The bicycle is made from lightweight 6061 Aluminium alloy. The rims are also made using double walled Aluminium alloy. This keeps the weight of the bike low at around 21.5 kgs.

The battery is placed inside the frame of the bicycle. This makes it easy to ride (The bike is more balanced). This protects the bicycle from a theft of the battery or damage from inquisitive neighbours.

Both the front and back tires are equipped with disc brakes. This is a must-have functionality for a battery powered bike.

The maximum speed is 25 kmph.

Saddle of the bicycle is really well designed and provides a comfortable ride.

The bicycle is also equipped with a mudguard & carrier. It also comes with a pre-installed front light, a horn and reflectors.

The LED battery meter and the ODO are nicely designed and very useful while riding.

Electrical & Battery Specifications:

The motor used in the bicycle is a 250 Watt brushless with 35 NM torque.

The cycle uses a 281 Watt hours battery by LG (36 V / 7.8 AH)

You can easily ride this bicycle for 50 Kms (The company states its range to be 35 to 75 Kms). There is a variation in the range as it depends on a lot of external factors. I have listed few of them below:

Your weight plays an important role. The lighter you are, the more is the range of the bike 🙂

Inclinations – If you using this to ride uphill or if there are multiple bridges on your way, the range decreases.

Riding conditions like traffic, amount time you need to brake, stop, how fast you ride etc

However, you can drastically increase its range in PAS mode (Range of 100+ Kms). Pedal assist mode is when you cycle and the electric motor assists you. This reduces the amount of effort you require to pedal. This bicycle has 3 PAS modes. Low, Medium and High.

2. Being Human BH27 E-Cycle

Everyone know Being Human. It is a brand owned by Salman Khan. They recently launched E-Cycles in India. They currently have two model on sale and both of them look really good and premium. They are also priced higher accordingly.

The BH27 is the more expensive option model. It is available online on Amazon in Black, Red, White and Yellow colour variations.

Watch the video below to get some idea of the how this bicycle works and some of the features and control available on it.

Key Features:

The frame of the bicycle is made using steel.

The electric cycle above, this cycle also has the battery concealed in the frame. The charging point is at the bottom near the pedals.

The bicycle is very made. The colour, finish and the decals look premium

It has a suspension on the front. The suspension can be adjusted as per your requirements. The bicycle also comes equipped with a led headlight.

It has a nice LCD panel (as seen in the video) to show speed, range, battery level and voltage etc

This bicycle has 7 speed Shimano gear system.

The max speed is 25 Kmph

Electrical & Battery Details:

The company states the range of the bicycle as 40 Kms. However, if you use the pedal assist mode your range should increase drastically. This bicycle has 5 PAS mode.

The battery used is 36 V, 7.8 A Samsung cell (Around 281 Watt-hours – Similar to the cycle by Elektron)

It takes around 4 hours to charge the battery completely.

3. Roulik Inizio E-bike

This electric cycle has some unique advantages as well as a drawback. It has some additional feature like walk assist, cruise mode etc. The bicycle also has more gears compared to the two bicycles covered so far.

However, the main drawback is the battery is a bit exposed on the frame.

This bicycle also does not have the large LCD display screen. It has a panel with buttons to do the same functions. Most other functions are similar. It has a smaller display to show battery status.

So if you do not have a large budget but still want to buy a Being Human electric cycle, you can buy this model online.

Watch the video below detailing out the operations of the cycle:

5. Swagtron Swagcycle Envy – Folding Electric Bicycle

The last e-Cycle on my list is slightly different. However, it can be a very practical bike for a few people. This bicycle can be folded. It is very light and can be carried easily.

Do note, that bicycle is smaller compared to your regular bicycles. Have a look at the images below for reference.

If you are on the slightly heavier side, I do not suggest buying this bike for you. (The manufacturer says that it will take a load of 120 Kgs. However, you will find it difficult to ride it as your weight increases)

The bike is really nicely made. The mechanism to fold the handlebars is really smooth and easy to use.

It has two-foot rest near the front wheel.

The range of the bicycle on a full charge is around 14 km. It takes around 4 hours to charge this bicycle fully.

The bicycle weights around 19 kgs

The bicycle comes equipped with a LED light in the front and a bell.

Note 2: Only the handlebar folds down. However, the bicycle is so small that it can easily fit anywhere with your handlebars down.

Watch the video below for more details of the bicycle

So this ends my review on the best electric cycles in India. I hope this helped you select the right bicycle. I will now cover some basic questions for people who want to know about eBikes.

So, What are electric Bicycles?

In simple words, It is a bicycle with a motor and battery attached to it. This helps cyclists cover larger distance then they would cover manually by pedalling.

There are three main modes in which you can ride an electric cycle.

Regular Mode – In this mode, you do not use a battery but ride the bicycle like you are riding a regular bicycle. By pedalling.

Pedal Assist Mode – You will still need to pedal in this mode. However, the battery will support your ride making it easier for you. You require less effort in this mode.

Electric Mode – You take no effort to pedal in this mode. You just sit back and enjoy the ride.

What are the advantages of Electric Cycle over a Regular Bicycle?

Higher Range – Using the pedal assist or the Electric mode drastically reduces the amount of effort cyclists need to put in. This allows you to save your energy and ride for longer distances compared to regular pedal bicycles.

Helps Elderly – People above a certain age do no opt of cycling. Cycling is a strainful exercise for them, especially if they haven’t used one for years. Electric cycles give them an option to enjoy cycling with exerting their body much. They can slowly use more of their energy as days go by and the body gets used to cycling again.

Speed – A lot of people do not use cycling as a mode to commute simply because they feel it will take a lot of time to reach their destination. With an electric cycle, you can chug along at a nice steady speed, much faster if you are cycling on your own (Beginner)

Master the hills like a pro – If you like casual cycling but hate riding on difficult terrains, battery operated cycles can be really helpful to you. You can opt to use the battery power only on hills or bridges where you find it hard on your knees/legs.

Do I require a license to ride electric cycles in India?

No, you do not. Since most of the electric bicycles use 250 W battery (or under the specification). Secondly, bicycles do not go faster than 25 Kmph. So the normal transport regulation is not applicable.

Do I require a helmet to ride an Electric Bicycle in India?

My personal suggestion and request are to use a proper helmet for your own safety. Never ride a bike with a helmet. It does not matter how good, safe or slow rider you are.

However, coming back to answer this question. Mostly No. You are legally not required to wear a helmet in most areas in India on a bicycle.

I hope this article helped you select the best cycle for yourself/loved one. Do let me know the electric bicycle you bought in the comments below. Also, if you would like to share your review about the bicycle you own, feel free to contact me.

Maj A D Dodamani

Sir,
I would prefer if someone can build a bicycle for me with electric kit fitted on a bicycle of my choice. It is essential that the battery should be detachable, as I live in a flat, and cannot take the bike to my home.
Regards,
Maj Dodamani

bicycleXP

As of now, I am not aware of any such service that you can avail in India. However, as you said, there are kits available, which you will have to install yourselves. I am planning to do an article how to convert a regular bicycle using electric kit soon.

Cheers!

Anand

bicycleXP

I am planning to do so too. Currently studying how to do it and the best kits available in India. You can find some videos on Youtube on the same. I will surely post once I am done converting mine. Cheers!

SEBASTIAN P P

I need an electric bicycle with front hub rim brushless d c motor…and battery to be removable so as to take it to my flat or office and charged with an USB. You get it with lightspeed but it’s in Pune. So opting out if you can do your bit of providing I am ready to buy.
Otherwise will DIY at home just waiting for the right time. Reply if you think if it is probably from your side. Thanks in advance.

Tejas

DR VIVEK S

sir any electric bicycle with Peddle-recharging system so that electric mode may be used only in needed times and rest times on peddle mode. why there is a lacunae in the recharging-regenerative part??